Steam-pressure-reducing valve.



No. 802,496. PATENTED 00-1. 24, 1905. a. W." 00mm:

STEAM PREssUmE Rmmm VALVE. APPLIOATION FILED APE.22.1904. REIEEWED MAR.30. 1905.

' QBHEETS-EEEET 1.

' 2 I QM'MMQQQ No. 802,496. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905. G, HELLER I STEAMPRESSURE REDUCING VALVE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 22, 1904.v RENEWED MAR. 30. 1905.

- 2 sums-sum 2.

UNIT SAES Gnoaen W. ooLLiN,

UFIUE.

OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECCITIOUTL no. season.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 0a. 2a, 1905.

Application finaa rn 22, 1904. Renewed March 80, 1906' Serial No.252,918.

To all, whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. COLLIN, a citizen of the United Stateaanda resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fair-field and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain )roducin a reducin -valve which has asu plcmentary regulating-port between the main valve and thelower-pressure side, to regulate thoimovernent of the main valve in amanner to prevent its hammering or cl'iattering when opening or closing,and to provide means for so regulating the How of steam-that the valvewill not be wire-drawn or cut by the steam, as will later be explained;finally, to provide a valve which consists in part of a main valve, anauxiliary valve, a diaphragm, and means for regulating the tension onthe same, said valves being located in separate chambers of thevalve-casing and independent from said diaphragm, soas to be removablew1thoutdxsturbing said diaphragm.

With the above objects in view my invention resides and consists in thenovel construction and combination of parts shown upon the accompanyingtwo sheets of drawings, forming a part of this specification, uponwliich similar characters of 1cfcrcnce lenote like or correspondingparts throughout the several figures, and oi which Figure 1 shows avertical central sectional view through my improved valve complete.

Fig. 2 is a transversc cross-section taken on line it 2 ofl ig. 1. Fig.3 is a central vertical section somewhat similar to Fig. 1, but showinga slightly-modilicd form of my in- Vention.

My device, as will be seen, comprises asuit' able casing in which themain-valve body, with its several elements, and the auxiliary valve areheld in their respective chambers and operated through the medium of adiaphragm. This diaphrz-igm is operated by the system-pressure and is.provided with a spring and means for regulating the tension of saidspring against said diaphragm. The whole device is constructed in a wayto allow free access to the valve mechanism in case inspection orrepairs are desired, and likewise to in sure perfect drainage.

Referring in detail to the characters of rel"- ercnce marked upon thedrawings, and more especially to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates the maincasing of the valve, which, as shown, is provided with an inlet-nippleA, and a coupling B for connection to the locomotive or ini tialpressure, and an outlctmipple with a coupling B for connection with theheating system, as is obviously necessary. C indicates a body, thebottom of which forms a valve to contact with a valve-scat l) of thecasing A. The upper part of the body forms a reciprocating piston I),that loosely engages the bore (1 of the casing in a way to admit aslight passage ofsteain thereby, and the lower end 01'' the bodycontains a stem that engages a guide-lug l of the casing. Below thevalvcseat D is formed a cushion-chamber G and a supplementaryregulating-port H to receive the plunger G on the depending stem of thevalvc-body C, which plunger enters the port H of the casing in a way toloosely close the same. The top of the bore of the casing is closed by aplug F,'\vhich projects downward in reduced size, forming a hub F, uponwhich a spring E is clamped and which extends to the bottom of thehollow valve-body U for its engagement. By inserting a hook into eye Vof the valve-body C the same and spring can be lifted out of the bore,allowing free access to the interior oi the casing, there being but twoelements the plug l5" and valve-body (1 to disassemble and assci'nble incase cleaning is necessary. The steam-passage S connects the chamber Fabove the piston l) to the service system through auxiliary val vc J andallowing the steam which escapes by the piston D from valve-chai'nber Eto the chamber F to enter the service system when auxiliary valve J isopen in a way to insure an equal pressure in chamber is and thelow-pressure side of the device when the auxiliary valve is open. Theauxiliary valve J is for the purpose of governing the pressure in thechamber F above the piston l) and is grooved to allow steam to pass whenopen. it is horizontally chambered in the casing, as seen in Fig. 1, andhas a stem on both ends. The stem J" extends through a guide L in plug 5and into a hub U, which tionally hold the ad ustir min is pressed inwardby spring M. The guide L is pinned into the plug (3, making a permanentassembly of the elements which are chambered l therein so they can beremoved and handled as it but one piece. The inner stem J extends acrossthe barrel and through hole in the 1 opposite wall 0? the casing andinto the diaphlegm-chamber against diaphragm L. As here shown, theauxiliary valve J is entirely separated from the main valve and can beremoved from its chamber and cleaned should it become foul and fail toproperly operate. This is accomplished by first removing plug S, takinghold of the stem J", and drawing the valve out of its chan'iber, whichexposes the valve-seat near the surface so as to be readily cleaned.'ihe uiaphragm chamber N is separated from the barrel of the casing,except by the drilled passages for the valve-stem J and the lowerpassage L" for steam-inlet and drainage-outlet. The diaphragm is clampedbetween the threaded hub N and the bonnet i l. The presseuhub N isinterposed between the said diaphragm L and the spring M, which ishoused within the sleeve of the bonnet. The opposite end of this springis engaged by nut P, which has ears P to engage grooves in the sleeve ofthe bonnet to prevent its turning. This nut is adjusted to and from thediaphragm by means of an adjusting screw Q, which is journaled'in cap Q,threadably attached to the sleeve of bonnet N. the outer end of theadjusting-screw C3 is attached a hand-wheel R, by means oi? which thescrew is turned to adjust the pressure of nut l? on theregulating-spring M. A. friction springndisk R is interposed in apocliet of the cap Q" and between the same and the wheel R and clampedbetween them by screw Y, which is set into the squared end of the barrelof the adjusting-screw Q,- io'cing the wheel it down to its place andspreading the spring-dist R in a way to fric- -screw Q and wheel it intheir adjusted positions.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the construction therein showndiilers but slightly from that disclosedin Figs. 1 and 2 so far as itspractical operation is concerned. the principal difference inconstruction being the lo cation of the diaphragm, its bonnet, andadjusting mechanism, which, as shown in Fig. 3, located at the bottomot' the valve-cas inn, while 51g. 1 it is locatn l at the side oi .thevalvew sing. The location of the auxiliary v yo J is also dilierent,being anged vertically and directly beneath the guide-stem ii of thevalve-body C. The upper stem J of this valve extends centrally throughthe S of the valve-body and into the spring-actuated hub U, housed in asuitable recess ot pluu; F. By removing the plug 15" the s. li' and thei is inciosed by the guide ii can'be removed togetheigand by takholu orauxiliary-valve stem J" he mainscenes valve body and the auxiliary valvecan be drawn from the casing, thus removing the entire valve mechanismand leaving the intetier of the casing freet'or inspection or cleaning.The passage S" takes the place of the passage S in the Wall of the maincasing (shown in Fig. l) and furnishes an outlet between chamber F andthe low-pressure side of the casing when auxiliary valve J is open.

The plunger Gr (shown in Fig. 3) is made detachable to permit itsremoval, if desirable. The piston D on valve-body G, as shown in Fig. 3,is provided with steam-packingT and a small port T through the C topermit the initial steam from valve-chamber E to enter chamber F andexert apressure on piston D when auxiliary valve J is closed.

As previously stated, the operation of the two constructions areprecisely the same and substantially as follows: When the steam isadmitted to valve-chamber E,the pressure,act inp; on the lower side ofpiston D, forces valve-body C upward, lifting the valve from its seat Dagainst the spring E, which has no pressure on the valve-body when thevalve is in a closed position and is only to prevent a too-violentlifting of the valve-body when the steam is first admitted to chamber E.[With the opening of the main valve, as above set forth, steam isobviously free to enter the service system to the pressure desired,which when obtained causes the-valve to automatically operate andsustain said pressure in the following way: lVhen the pressurein thesystem reaches theheig ht desired, regulated by the pressure of springMon diaphragm L, said diaphragm isfpreed outward, releasing-"theauxiliary valve push the auxiliary valve J into its seat rcue ting offthe escape of steam from chamber F to the system through the intefveningpassage, causing the pressure to rise above the piston D until itoverbalances the initialliftlug-pressure, forcing the valve-body C down.as the valve-body descends the plunger enters its port before said valvereaches its seat D, cutting on the free passage of steam,which beingchecked in cushion-chamber G forms a pressure-cushion below the valve,checking its descent. The pressure then rises in chamber F, overcomingthis resistance and forces the valve to its seat Without hammering orchattering. The area of the bottom of the valve being greater than thearea of the plunger gives a pressurecushion to the bottom of the valve,and with proportions of parts shown in the dra lugs there will be'acushionresistance oi? eighty-eight pounds when the plunger G enters itsport iiproviding theinitial pressure is two lumdred pounds. When thepres ure becomes reduced sufficient to allow the spring M to force thediaphragm L inward, the auxiliary-valve stem J is pushed back, openingthe auxiliary valve J, allowing side of the body the I J and permittingspring M to soaaoe the steam-pressure in chamber 1 to escape to thesystem through passage S, and the initial i rcssure in valve-chamber E,acting on the lower side of the piston D, again lifts the valve-body,opening the main valve. When the valve begins to lift from its seat D,as above, steam enters the cushion-chamber G and will sustain theinitial pressure therein so that there will be no velocity of steamthrough the valve until the plunger G is lifted from its port to allowaf ee passage of steam to the system, at which time the valve will be sofar above its seat that wire-drawing is impossible.

.ln this invention 1 do'not wish to belimited to the details ofconstruction shown, since these can obviously be changed withoutdeparting from the essence of the invention. This is particularly truewith reference to the location of the diaphragm or auxiliary valve andlikewise the several features of the main valve and auxiliary chambers.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim, and desire to secureby Letters Pat out, is

1. A steam-pressure-reducing valve, com prising a casing having ahigh-pressure chamber an auxiliary-valve chamber and a diaphragmchamber, and containing a mainvalve body, an auxiliary valve and adiaphragm each respectively located in said separate and independentcompartments of the casing in a way to permit any one of them to beremoved and replaced Without disturbing the others, and suitable portsconnecting said valves and diaphragm.

2. In a steanrpressure-reducing valve, the combination with avalve-casing, containing a main-valve chamber, an auxiliary-valvechamber, and ports connecting the same, of a valvebody in thefirst-named chamber, an auxiliary valve in the second-named chamber, adiaphragm and chamber thereini and means to allow the removal of each orany of said ports without disturbing the others.

3. In a steam-pressure-red ucing valve, the,

combination of a casing containing a mainvalve chamber and. body, anauxiliary-valve chamber, a diaphragm and chamber for the same, portsconnecting said chambers, an auxiliary valve connected with thediaphragm in a way to be operated thereby to open and clo'se, means topermit the removal of either said valve, diaphragm or body independentof the others.

4. In a steam-pressure-regulating valve, the combination with a casingcontaining a valve chamber and seat, and a cushion-chamber and port, ofa body movably mounted in said chambers bearing a main valve to engagesaid seatand a plunger to close the port of the cushionchamber, saidvalve and plunger being so proportioned and arranged with. relation-tosaid seat and port that the said seat is opened in advance of the portwith the rise of the body.

5. In asteam-pressure-regulating valve, the

combination with a suitable casing bearing a high-pressure inlet and alow-pressure outlet, of a valve-body intermediate of said inlet andoutlet, a cushion-chamber having an outlet to the system, a plungerattached to said body adapted to close the outlet, said val ve andplunger being so located and proportioned with relation to each otherthat the valve opens in advance of the plunger in a way to prevent thecutting of the valve-seat substantially as described.

6. In a steam-pressure-reducing valve, the combination with a-casingprovided with a valve-seat, of a body mounted therein, a cfislnion-chamber below the body having ,an outlet-port, a plunger. carried bythe body adapted to fit said outlet-port, said plunger and seat being soproportioned and arranged with relation to each other that .the valve isopened in advance of the outlet port in a way to first fill thecushion-chamber to check the flow ol steam and prevent the cutting ofthe valve.

7. In a steam-pressure-reducing valve, the combination with a casing, abody bearing a piston, an inlet and chamber below the piston, a chamberabove the piston, a passage through the body intermediate of saidchambers, a cushion-chamber below the body, a plunger connected with thebody to open and close an outlet-port of said cushion-chamber and meansfor automatically operating the body with the varying pressure in thesystem in amanner to open and close said port.

8. In a steam-pressure-red ucing valve, the combination with a casing,of a valve-body, fitted therein provided with a piston, seat andplunger, a cushion-chamber intermediate of the seat and plunger, adiaphragm, an auxiliary valve operated by the diaphragm, ports leadingfrom said auxiliary valve to a ehamber above the valve-body and to thesystemoutlet whereby the initial flow of steam to the system iscontrolled and whereby the pressure upon the top side of the body isincreased or decreased to open and close the same.

9. In a steampressurereducing valve, the combination with a casing of amovable valvebody fitted therein bearing a piston, a chamber above andbelow said piston, a cushionchambr below the body, an outlet for saidcushion-chamber, a plunger attached to the body in a way to open andclose the outlet from the cushion-chamber to the system with themovement of the body, a diaphragm operated by the system-pressure, anauxiliary valve controlled by said diaphragm, a port leading from thechamber above the body to the lowpressure side of the valve in a way tocontrol the initial flow of steam from said chamber to said low-pressureside.

10. [n a steam-pressure-reducing valve, the

combination with a casing bearing a highpressure inlet and alow-pressure outlet, of a body fitted within the casing bearinga piston,a chamber above and below the piston, a port in the body intermediate oreheniher, a seat for the body, a passage lee-ding; from upper chamber tothe lUW-QFESSUTG outlet, an auxiliary valve intermediate of saidpassage, and means for automatically operating said auxiliary vaive tocontrol the initial or ssur of steam from the high-pressure to the low--pressure side of the valve.

11. in a,steam-pressure-reducing valve, the combination with a casing,of a bodyinovablv mounted therein hearing a piston and ports, a ehaniherabove and below the piston, a seat and means for normally holding thebod v down upon said seat, a steam-passage leading from the upperchamber to the lOW-JYGSSUTG side of the valve, an auxiliary valve insaid nassage to govern the initial flow of steam to the system,adiaphragin operated by the low pressure to control said auxiliaryvalve, a spring and means for adjusting the same to regulate the tensionon the diaphragm.

12. lira steam-pressure-regulating valve, the oonnhin'ation with acasing, of body rnovahly mounted therein hearing a piston havingsteam-ports. a chamber beneath and above w the valve, an auxil l I, gs,a diaphragm for valve 1n one direction, tne same, a plug in which ts isslidahly mounted 1n stern of the wav permit of the removal of the. valveg t e detachment of the plum I 13. a steam-preSsure=reduoing valve, thecombination with a casing, having an inlt ls and outlet, of a bodybearing a piston, a chamber below the piston, an outlet from saidchernheg chamber above the piston eonneeted with the inlet, a passagevfrom said chamber, connected with the outlet, an auxiliary valve in aidpassage, a diaphragm for operating the auxiliary valve and means forregulating the tension of said diaphragrnl Signed at Bridgeport, in thecounty of Fairtield and State of Connecticut, this 20th day of Aprih ri.1904. Y

GEORGE W. CGLLIN.

Witnesses:

C. il EWMAN,

W. V. Dnvlr'r.

l Ell leading from said nope!"

